Calvin Peete set for Oct. 24 at Cape Royal
When Magnolia Pines Golf Club suddenly closed last month, it left the fate of the 10th annual Calvin Peete Golf Classic in limbo.
Fortunately, the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce was able to find a new location where it could hold the annual fundraiser on the scheduled date.
Unfortunately, it left the tournament needing golfers and additional sponsors.
ToniRae Hurley, executive director of the Chamber, said she really had to scramble to find a new location for the popular tournament.
“We called seven courses within driving range and they all said no as they all had tournaments going on,” Hurley said. “No courses schedule anything after Nov. 1. The last one we tried was Cape Royal and they said they would.”
The Calvin Peete Golf Classic will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, at Cape Royal Golf and Country Club with a noon shotgun start. The start time was originally set for 8 a.m., but when the event was moved, they had to move up the start, which resulted in several golfers unable to change their schedules to play.
So now they are looking for golfers to step up and play a round to help support the Chamber of Commerce and its foundation. The cost is $500 for a team or $125 for golfers who wouldn’t mind being part of a constituted foursome.
Lee County Insurance is again the title sponsor as it has been from the beginning. They chamber i still looking for Eagle Sponsors for $1,250, Birdie Sponsors for $750, and $500 cart and putting green sponsors, as well as hole sponsors.
There will be a putting contest as well as longest drive, closest to the pin and a hole-in-one. Golfers can purchase mulligans, a yardstick and a chance to tee off from the women’s tee if you wear a tutu.
There also will be a South of the Border buffet afterward as well as a 50/50 and prize raffle.
The tournament honors the memory of Calvin Peete. He was a North Fort Myers resident and a true golf pioneer as the winner of 12 PGA tournament titles, a two-time member of the United States Ryder Cup team, and a Vardon Trophy recipient for the PGA tour’s lowest scoring average in 1983.
Peete was the leading African-American PGA tournament title holder prior to the emergence of Tiger Woods.
Cape Royal Golf and Country Club is at 11460 Royal Tee Circle, Cape Coral.
For more information or to take part, call the Chamber at 239-997-9111 or visit calvinpeeteclassic.com.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com